I was playing with the laser pointer with my cat, and my dog wanted to chase the red dot…cat is now bored with it but it is my dog’s favorite toy!
He was scrambling after it indoors so now I play with him with it outside…when it gets dark I take him in the yard, point the laser and he runs around like crazy trying to catch it.
No, please don’t. There are a few good reasons not to use laser pointers as toys for cats or dogs, or anything really.
Eye injury and vision damage for one, even if unintentional.
Creating a superstitious behavior, particularly with certain breeds. Known as shadow chasing or light chasing, it is truly debilitating, like an OCD behavior. *****
Unintentionally interfering with the operation of aircraft. Where does that laser go when you point it up? It goes, and goes and goes. Sometimes into the cockpit of an aircraft. I believe in the US there can be reeeeeally serious charges when that happens.
I’m sure you never intend to harm your animals, but a laser “toy” is not a good choice for playing with your pets.
*****More reading about compulsive disorders:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_10/features/Dogs-With-OCD_16069-1.html
I don’t know that I agree with keysfins; I just don’t like laser toys because I don’t think they’re fair to the cat (or, in this case, the dog). Chasing and pouncing on something you can’t smell … and then you think you’ve caught it … but where is it? There is no “win” – you never get the feel of the prey between your paws.
But I will admit, Countrywood, it sounds like a good way to use up a lot of canine energy and make a dog sleep through the night! But still … I don’t think it’s fair to have an animal chase something they can’t ever catch.
[QUOTE=keysfins;8416166]
No, please don’t. There are a few good reasons not to use laser pointers as toys for cats or dogs, or anything really.
Eye injury and vision damage for one, even if unintentional.
Creating a superstitious behavior, particularly with certain breeds. Known as shadow chasing or light chasing, it is truly debilitating, like an OCD .
*****More reading about compulsive disorders:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_10/features/Dogs-With-OCD_16069-1.html[/QUOTE]
Their are much better ways to play with your dog.
Make a flirt pole for your dog instead…
[QUOTE=jetsmom;8416256]
Make a flirt pole for your dog instead…[/QUOTE]
Yes! Lunge whip with almost anything (lightweight) on the end that the dog can chase. And sometimes even catch.
Or the good ole standby, a tennis ball to fetch.
Some dogs turn very OCD about this very quickly; I would definitely not encourage this type of play.
I saw a dog win at an outdoor dog show and then go nuts trying to chase the reflection from the judge’s watch as he was handing out ribbons. I think the judge wanted to un-award the win after watching that. The owner was mortified - she could not get the dog away from the light.
Over the years, we had some of our dog club dogs really become too intense about light chasing, even with plain flashlights.
Some dogs do become obsessive about it, will spend hours staring at you hoping you pick up that flashlight to let them obsess some more.
Better not uncork that genie.
Have not heard if that is a possible problem with cats.
We use any kind of rope, or better a whip with a long tail and something on the end for cat and puppy play.
They all love to chase whatever you put on the end.
Thanks for replies. I can try some other fetch games or feather on a rope game…he is so far not focusing on anything light like or becoming obsessed etc…just excited (in a good way ) when we play the game (which is only for about three minutes outside so he associates it with the yard and no place else). I did read online about the tendency of some dogs to obsess on it after the replies from owners a number of them reported issues with their dogs , others who said their dogs were fine with it.
It does seem to help this particular dog who was odd when I got him. H’es very sweet but came with some issues…6 years old, adopted through rescue, prior to rescue he had been dumped on streets by his owners and badly bitten and attacked by the street dogs in area, and was treated for severe bites that resulted in nerve damage to one side of his face. Because of this he lacks confidence and can be very anxious and can not be around other dogs…playing with the laser has actually helped him psychologically ( the opposite of I understand happens to dogs who become obsessed with it)…the intense short period of play with the laser seems a focus for his anxiety and he is calmer the rest of the time and less anxious when we go on a walk and another dog is walking down street with an owner.
He gets along great with my cat and loves to play cat like games…will happily chase the feather on a stick used as cat toy. Reacted horribly to other dogs when I tried to see if he could make friends (in foster care they told me he was good with their 2 dogs but he’s been terrible with any dog I tried to get him near so unless I can do it with a professional trainer (which I have not found one yet), that is out of the picture.
He likes riding in car, going on outings, and is very friendly with people.kids he meets.
I will watch for any possible neg affects and not do it if I see signs he is developing any obsessive tendancies around laster chasing
It is very, very difficult to undo the negative effect of laser chasing. Once you see any “possible negative” effect? Too late. It isn’t just a question of stopping the laser pointing and all will return to normal. Many dogs will start to chase shadows compulsively when the laser pointer is thrown out.
OP, you stated your dog is “actually helped psychologically” by the laser pointer because he is less anxious and reactive to other dogs when on walks after you have allowed him to play with the laser pointer. I don’t believe it is the laser pointer that is causing the more relaxed behavior on walks. It is the physical activity in general that is causing the improvement. You could achieve the same result from a more healthy game of fetch or through the use of a flirt pole.
You have choices with your dog. You don’t have to use the laser pointer. Why would you ignore the danger and continue to use it?
Sheilah
Congratulations to you, Countrywood, for adopting a dog with issues. 
And for devoting time to playing with him.
Can you talk with his vet about possible therapy to help condition him to the company of other dogs? If he could be helped over the PTSD from the street dogs’ attacks in the bad old days, maybe he could get to where he can play with other non-street dogs?
Just a thought from someone who does not live with a dog but is dealing with more than enough human anxiety issues of my own!
The vet is supposed to get an onsite trainer in their facility but keeps being delayed…hopefully soon. I’ve had Shadow about 6 months and he is happier and less anxious . I think keeping him busy and active is key…some dogs never develop those bad behavior around the laser pointer but I will find other ways to play with him.
[QUOTE=Countrywood;8416874]
The vet is supposed to get an onsite trainer in their facility but keeps being delayed…hopefully soon. I’ve had Shadow about 6 months and he is happier and less anxious . I think keeping him busy and active is key…some dogs never develop those bad behavior around the laser pointer but I will find other ways to play with him.[/QUOTE]
I am a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and you may find some local resources from the organization’s web site:
Glad you have taken on a dog with issues, and that you are seeing positive progress with him.
Thanks for link, I just played ball with him in yard, he liked that, so will play ball 5x week only do laser 2x a week.
[QUOTE=Countrywood;8416891]
Thanks for link, I just played ball with him in yard, he liked that, so will play ball 5x week only do laser 2x a week.[/QUOTE]
FWIW, any professional trainer would discourage ALL laser games, for reasons already mentioned.
There are much better options, such as clicker training, that can enhance the bond between you and your dog. Nose work and barn hunts are other fun things to do with your dog that utilize your dog’s natural abilities and curiousity. These can be low-energy but fun things for you, while challenging your dog. Training games can tire out a dog as much as physical activity.
Best of luck!
I know a dog (GSP) with whom the owner played with a laser. Last I saw, she would fixate on the sun glinting off the door window onto the patio, waiting for it to move. For hours.
Sad to watch, actually.
I’ll play ball with him instead of laser then. The GSP she should work with the dog if it developed that pattern. Like, uh, for starters she could put a curtain over that window but more important distract the dog with something positive to do not let it sit there for hours.
[QUOTE=Countrywood;8417290]
I’ll play ball with him instead of laser then. The GSP she should work with the dog if it developed that pattern. Like, uh, for starters she could put a curtain over that window but more important distract the dog with something positive to do not let it sit there for hours.[/QUOTE]
Never underestimated how a dog that is fine one day may, like someone flipped a switch, become in one instance OCD, where that becomes all it’s life.
We had one such border collie, that was fine and normal.
One day some puffs of wind were picking up dust on our road in front of the house and she fixated on trying to herd them and would not stop.
There was no calling her back, no stopping her, she would run around you chasing the dust puffs, when the wind was not making any, she would scratch with her paws and bring some up and then chase and try to herd them.
A friend was here with his two eskies and we tried to use them to stop her and she would do the same, go around them and keep chasing the dust.
By the time we finally caught her, she still was not coming out of it for a while.
We had to keep her confined from then on.
She just lived to chase dust puffs, other than when training on our hair sheep or cattle.
She made a top agility dog, titled high and was so fast, the handler had to direct from far away, you could not stay up with her.
Other than training or being confined, any time she was turned out on her kennel run, she was running the fence and trying to stir up dust to chase.
If with other dogs, she would become aggressive to them if they tried to interfere asking to play with her.
No one wants to go there with their dog, mental health problems is heartbreaking in dogs.
Don’t want to be the cause of it and we know chasing light can be one cause if a dog is so wired.
got it, will stop doing it now my dog can blame you guys for taking away his fun lol…but I get it .
I completely recognize that there is a risk involved but I also think it is important to know your breed and the individual dog.
I’ll freely admit my mini gets to enjoy a laser pointer a few times a month. If it’s been raining for a few days straight we work on down stay, sprint after the laser point, pointer clicks off, catch and retrieve a toy. We’ve been doing this casually for going on 4 years and he’s never once looked twice at a shadow, light, etc. He’s trainable but not a super drivey dog. He knows that excessive barking or breaking the order of operation means that the game is over.
I’m not advocating for the unregulated use of laser pointers but I think it is a bit extremists when people say that they always lead to OCD behavior or will always ruin a dog.
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